Simple Frittata Recipe & Variations

This simple frittata recipe shall be your new go-to for a wholesome egg-based dish you’ll be able to serve and revel in any time of day. It retains and reheats properly, which makes it a superb make-ahead meal. Immediately I’m sharing my 2 favourite variations, a backyard vegetable frittata and a Mediterranean-inspired frittata. Make it precisely like I do, or mess around with the recipe and make it a bit of in another way each time!

two frittatas in cast iron skillets on marble counter with tomatoes, red onions, chopped parsley, and eggs next to them.

What Is a Frittata?

Should you’ve by no means made one earlier than, right here’s a fast introduction to this scrumptious 1-pan meal. Whereas it could resemble a crustless quiche, you’re utilizing double the eggs and half the milk/cream, so the feel is extra sturdy and fewer creamy—extra like a thick, baked omelette.

You’ll start cooking it on the range, after which switch it to the oven to bake. So a skillet that may go from range to oven, equivalent to a forged iron skillet, is important. Extra on this beneath.

Like every selfmade omelette, breakfast strata, or breakfast casserole, you’ll be able to customise the flavors of this frittata by selecting completely different add-ins. Make it precisely like one of many two methods I describe beneath, or mess around with the recipe and uncover your personal favourite model!

To sum up, you’ll love this frittata recipe as a result of it’s:

  • Make-ahead pleasant
  • Might be served heat or at room temperature
  • Filled with protein and greens
  • A lot simpler and quicker than making particular person omelettes
  • Infinitely customizable!
spinach, tomato, and feta cheese frittata slice on plate with arugula salad and strawberries.
What Is the Distinction Between a Quiche & a Frittata?

The ratio of eggs to take advantage of is completely different: This frittata recipe makes use of 8 eggs and 1/2 cup milk, whereas my quiche recipe makes use of 4 eggs and 1 cup milk/cream. This implies the feel of a frittata is extra sturdy and stable, like an omelette; the feel of a quiche is creamier, and extra custard-like. A quiche is often baked in a pie crust; and a frittata begins in a skillet on the stovetop, after which finishes baking within the oven.

Can I Make This With Solely Egg Whites?

You would, however I don’t suggest utilizing solely egg whites as a result of you’ll lose quite a lot of richness and taste that the yolks present. If you wish to strive it, use 2 entire eggs and 6 egg whites. Or do that lightened-up crustless veggie quiche.

Base Elements in This Frittata Recipe

Let’s begin with the bottom elements of this frittata recipe. That is the start line you should utilize each time, after which add in your chosen greens and/or meats.

  • 8 Massive Eggs: The inspiration of the frittata!
  • 1/2 Cup Milk: Entire milk makes for the very best texture, nevertheless it’s a small quantity, so it’s not an enormous deal to make use of low-fat or nondairy milk as an alternative. Use cream or half-and-half for a creamier texture.
  • Salt & Pepper: These improve all the opposite flavors you’ll add to your frittata.
  • 1 Cup Cheese: You should utilize no matter sort of cheese you take pleasure in greatest in an omelette. Within the 2 frittata recipes detailed beneath, we’re utilizing shredded sharp cheddar and crumbled feta.
  • Olive Oil & Garlic: Prepare dinner garlic in some olive oil to provide the frittata a flavorful begin.
ingredients in bowls including milk, eggs, cheese, salt and pepper, chopped spinach, cherry tomatoes, and more.
beaten egg and cheese mixture in glass bowl.

Identical to with my recipes for quiche and breakfast casserole, you’ll be able to adapt this frittata recipe to your style, however if you happen to’d like some inspiration, listed here are my 2 favourite variations:

Backyard Vegetable Frittata

This model comes from crew member Beth. She often roasts the greens within the oven first, however we determined to chop that step to see if we may make the recipe faster… and it labored! So for this backyard vegetable frittata, you’ll prepare dinner the greens within the skillet to melt them a bit earlier than you pour within the egg combination. Right here’s what to incorporate:

  • Crimson Onion: Slice half a purple onion and add it to the pan with the garlic.
  • Candy Potato: Chop up a candy potato, and prepare dinner it with the onion and garlic.
  • Crimson Bell Pepper: Diced purple pepper provides a pop of coloration, however yellow or orange peppers style simply pretty much as good!
  • Zucchini: Slice a small zucchini, and halve any bigger rounds.
  • Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: In recipe testing, gentle cheddar’s taste obtained misplaced in right here. Use a sharper cheese for the best-tasting vegetable frittata.

After the greens have softened on the range, pour the egg combination on prime and let it prepare dinner for about 5 minutes earlier than transferring to the oven:

sauteed vegetables in cast iron skillet and shown again with eggs poured on top.

Mediterranean-Impressed Frittata Recipe

Frittata is Italian, and so naturally, Mediterranean flavors work splendidly in right here. There’s no must pre-cook these already-soft elements, so you’ll be able to add all the pieces proper into the egg combination. Right here’s what to incorporate:

  • Artichokes: I exploit canned quartered artichoke hearts, and drain them properly.
  • Contemporary Spinach: Give the leaves a tough chop.
  • Cherry Tomatoes: Halved cherry tomatoes add coloration in addition to taste.
  • Prosciutto: This salty, thin-sliced ham is dry-cured, so no pre-cooking is required. Slice into bite-size items. Be at liberty to omit for a vegetarian frittata.
  • Crumbled Feta Cheese: I like the creamy, salty tang of feta, however a shredded onerous Italian cheese, equivalent to parmigiano reggiano or pecorino romano, would even be scrumptious on this Mediterranean-inspired frittata.

Begin on the Range & End within the Oven

Simply as I confirmed you above, a head-start on the range “units” the egg combination which helps stop a watery frittata. That is essential as a result of while you embrace greens with a excessive water content material, equivalent to zucchini and tomatoes, it’s essential to prepare dinner off a few of that moisture.

After about 5 minutes, the sides must be effervescent and starting to set, after which you’ll be able to transfer the skillet to the oven to bake:

egg mixture with spinach and tomatoes in glass bowl and shown again in cast iron skillet.

Now that is most likely the toughest half! The pan could be very sizzling and the combination remains to be very liquid, so use 2 oven mitts and go slowly to switch it tremendous CARE-FULL-Y to the oven.

Bake for about 22–26 minutes, till the frittata is puffy and the middle is now not wobbly/moist. Let it cool for at the least 10 minutes earlier than you slice into it—the frittata will proceed to arrange due to the residual warmth from the pan.

vegetable frittata with zucchini and red bell peppers in a cast iron skillet.

Finest Pan for Making Frittata

Since you begin the frittata on the range, after which switch it to the oven, a pan that may go safely from stovetop to oven is important. A seasoned forged iron skillet is ideal right here.

That is the cast iron skillet I’ve, and I extremely suggest it. It’s cheap, comes pre-seasoned, works on all sorts of cooktops, heats evenly, and is made to final a lifetime. (Not sponsored, only a true pan fan!)

This 10.25-inch-diameter, 2-inch-deep measurement is what I exploit for skillet turkey pot pie, skillet cornbread, sea salt and herb rolls, bruschetta hen, cornmeal cake, biscuits, and extra. Speak about a helpful pan to have within the kitchen! You may actually use any 10- to 12-inch oven-safe skillet that’s about 2 inches deep.

Mediterranean-inspired frittata in cast iron skillet with slice taken out and placed on green plate next to it.

What to Serve With Frittata

Fruit and a contemporary arugula salad are simple, wholesome sides. Or, if you happen to’re serving the frittata as a part of a much bigger brunch, it could plate properly alongside any of those favorites:

Print

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Mediterranean-inspired spinach and tomato frittata in cast iron skillet.

Simple Frittata Recipe (Select Your Add-Ins)


  • Writer:
    Sally

  • Prep Time:
    20 minutes

  • Prepare dinner Time:
    half-hour

  • Complete Time:
    1 hour

  • Yield:
    serves 8

  • Class:
    Breakfast

  • Technique:
    Baking

  • Delicacies:
    American


Description

This simple frittata recipe shall be your new go-to for a wholesome egg-based dish you’ll be able to serve and revel in any time of day. Beneath are my 2 favourite variations, a backyard vegetable frittata and a Mediterranean-inspired frittata. Observe the recipes precisely, or mess around with the add-ins and make it a bit of in another way each time!


Base Frittata Recipe

Model #1: Backyard Vegetable

Model #2: Mediterranean-Impressed


Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (191°C).
  2. In a medium bowl, preferably one with a pour spout, whisk collectively the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Fold in about 3/4 cup of the cheese (cheddar for model #1/feta for model #2), reserving the remainder for topping. Put aside.
  3. Warmth olive oil in a 2-inch-deep, 10- to 12-inch-diameter oven-safe skillet over medium warmth. Add the garlic and prepare dinner, stirring, for about 30–60 seconds (don’t let it brown). Proceed with both model beneath.

For the Backyard Vegetable Frittata: 

  1. Add the purple onion and candy potato to the pan with the garlic. Prepare dinner for five minutes, stirring sometimes, till they start to melt. Add the purple peppers and zucchini, and season with salt and pepper. Prepare dinner for an additional 5 minutes, stirring sometimes.
  2. Pour the egg-and-cheese combination over the greens and prepare dinner for five minutes, with out stirring, till effervescent/beginning to set across the edges. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup cheese on prime.
  3. Rigorously switch the skillet to the middle rack of the oven, and bake for 22–26 minutes, or till the frittata is puffy and the middle now not wobbles/appears to be like moist.
  4. Switch the skillet to a wire rack, and let it cool for at the least 10 minutes earlier than slicing and serving. Frittata will proceed to set because it cools. Prime with chopped contemporary parsley, if desired.

For the Mediterranean-Impressed Frittata: 

  1. Fold the spinach, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and prosciutto (if utilizing) into the egg-and-cheese combination.
  2. Pour the egg-and-cheese combination into the pan with the cooked garlic and prepare dinner for five minutes, with out stirring, till effervescent/beginning to set across the edges. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup cheese on prime.
  3. Rigorously switch the skillet to the middle rack of the oven, and bake for 22–26 minutes, till the frittata is puffy and the middle now not wobbles/appears to be like moist.
  4. Switch the skillet to a wire rack, and let it cool for at the least 10 minutes earlier than slicing and serving. Frittata will proceed to set because it cools.


Notes

  1. Storage Directions: Cowl leftover frittata and retailer within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Microwave particular person slices to reheat or place slices on a lined baking sheet and bake, lined, in a 350°F (177°C) oven for five–10 minutes, or till warmed all through.
  2. Freezing & Reheating Directions: It’s greatest to freeze the absolutely baked and cooled frittata (until you need to freeze the partially cooked egg combination in your skillet, which—for greatest outcomes—I don’t suggest). Cool baked frittata fully, minimize into slices, switch slices to a freezer-friendly container, and canopy tightly. Freeze for as much as 3 months. When able to eat, thaw within the fridge, and microwave particular person slice to reheat or place slices on a lined baking sheet and bake, lined, in a 350°F (177°C) oven for five–10 minutes, or till warmed all through.
  3. Particular Instruments (affiliate hyperlinks): Mixing Bowls With Pour Spout | Whisk | Cast Iron Skillet (or any oven-safe skillet that’s 2 inches deep and 10 to 12 inches in diameter)
  4. Egg Whites Solely? I don’t suggest utilizing solely egg whites as a result of you’ll lose quite a lot of richness and taste that the yolks present. I counsel utilizing 2 entire eggs and 6 egg whites.
  5. Milk: Entire milk gives the very best style and texture, however you’ll be able to substitute lower-fat or nondairy milk in a pinch. Utilizing heavy cream or half-and-half will make for a creamier texture.
  6. Different add-ins: Follow 2 to three cups whole add-ins, and use the bottom recipe as the start line in your personal variation. You may pre-cook any greens on the range with the olive oil, garlic, and seasonings such as you do within the Backyard Vegetable model. Common white/gold/purple potato, broccoli, mushrooms, and/or asparagus are additionally nice additions. Prepare dinner till softened earlier than pouring within the egg combination.
  7. Can I add different meats? Sure, completely. You may add cooked diced ham, sliced hen sausage, floor sausage, and/or shredded or chopped hen. Fold pre-cooked meat into the egg-and-cheese combination, or be happy to brown a bit with the garlic/greens on the range earlier than including the egg combination.

Vitamin

  • Serving Dimension: 1 slice vegetable frittata
  • Energy: 179
  • Sugar: 2.3 g
  • Sodium: 340.4 mg
  • Fats: 12.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6.3 g
  • Protein: 11.1 g
  • Ldl cholesterol: 202.6 mg